Motion for a resolution | Doc. 14494 | 26 January 2018

Strengthening the role of young people in the prevention and resolution of conflicts

Signatories: Mr Andrej HUNKO, Germany, UEL ; Ms Gökay AKBULUT, Germany, UEL ; Ms Hannah BARDELL, United Kingdom, NR ; Mr Vlad BATRINCEA, Republic of Moldova, SOC ; Mr Ľuboš BLAHA, Slovak Republic, SOC ; Mr Michel BRANDT, Germany, UEL ; Ms Rósa Björk BRYNJÓLFSDÓTTIR, Iceland, NR ; Mr Roland Rino BÜCHEL, Switzerland, ALDE ; Mr José CEPEDA, Spain, SOC ; Mr Petter EIDE, Norway, UEL ; Lord George FOULKES, United Kingdom, SOC ; Ms Miren Edurne GORROTXATEGUI, Spain, UEL ; Ms Gabriela HEINRICH, Germany, SOC ; Mr Andrej HUNKO, Germany, UEL ; Mr Josip JURATOVIC, Germany, SOC ; Ms Ioanneta KAVVADIA, Greece, UEL ; Ms Filiz KERESTECİOĞLU DEMİR, Turkey, UEL ; Mr Claude KERN, France, ALDE ; Mr Ertuğrul KÜRKÇÜ, Turkey, UEL ; Mr Georgios MAVROTAS, Greece, SOC ; Mr Marco NICOLINI, San Marino, UEL ; Mr Rasmus NORDQVIST, Denmark, UEL ; Mr Žarko OBRADOVIĆ, Serbia, SOC ; Mr Henk OVERBEEK, Netherlands, UEL ; Ms Judith PALLARÉS, Andorra, ALDE ; Mr Georgios PSYCHOGIOS, Greece, UEL ; Mr Frank SCHWABE, Germany, SOC ; Mr Tommy SHEPPARD, United Kingdom, NR ; Mr Søren SØNDERGAARD, Denmark, UEL ; Mr Pavel STANĚK, Czech Republic, ALDE ; Ms Inna ŞUPAC, Republic of Moldova, UEL ; Mr Robert TROY, Ireland, ALDE ; Ms Feleknas UCA, Turkey, UEL

This motion has not been discussed in the Assembly and commits only those who have signed it.

The Parliamentary Assembly deplores the numerous conflicts, frozen conflicts and tensions in and between Council of Europe member States and reaffirms its will to support reconciliation, conflict resolution and peace processes to promote closer unity between member States by fostering human rights, rule of law and democracy. The pursuit of peace must be based upon justice and international co-operation, and strengthening young people’s participation is an essential condition for effective conflict prevention and resolution.

Having due regard to the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2250 (2015) on Youth, Peace and decision-making, the Assembly is convinced that the youth accounts for many of those adversely affected by armed conflict and that forced displacement and disruption of youth’s access to education and economic opportunities has a dramatic impact on durable peace and reconciliation. The crucial role that young people play in conflict prevention and reconciliation is not corresponding to their limited role in decision-making. Although young people make tangible and positive contributions in efforts for the promotion and maintenance of peaceful societies free of violence and conflicts, they are however not given enough opportunities and instruments for exercising a wider influence in the political sphere.

Recognising that the youth should actively be engaged in shaping lasting peace and contributing to justice and reconciliation, the Assembly should examine how the role of the youth can be strengthened in the respective work of the Council of Europe and its member States. The Assembly should aim to find new and strengthen existing avenues for meaningful youth participation in decision-making, conflict prevention and conflict resolution. Proposals should support youth-led peacebuilding organisations, the facilitation of an enabling environment for youth participation in conflict prevention and the role of youth employment opportunities and inclusive labour policies in the genesis and resolution of conflicts.